Pirates Prospect, Former Lakeland Star Dies at 24

Chambers, a 2007 graduate, passed away in his sleep.

Published: Monday, December 2, 2013 at 11:25 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 2, 2013 at 11:25 p.m.

LAKELAND | Former Lakeland Dreadnaught and Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league baseball center fielder Evan Chambers passed away in his sleep this past weekend. He was 24 years old.

"We are deeply saddened," said Monica Chambers, Evan's sister. "This was a shock and unexpected."

Evan Chambers, a 2007 Lakeland graduate, was selected by the Pirates in the third round of the 2009 first-year player draft and spent the past five seasons in the Pirates' organization. He also played college baseball at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.

"It's tragic," former Lakeland head coach Mike Campbell said. "This is a tragedy and this is going to affect a lot of people. There are a lot of people who really cared about him. He was a good young man."

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 2122 Martin Luther King Ave in Lakeland. The Chambers have asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Evan's honor to:

<p>LAKELAND | Former Lakeland Dreadnaught and Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league baseball center fielder Evan Chambers passed away in his sleep this past weekend. He was 24 years old.</p><p>"We are deeply saddened," said Monica Chambers, Evan's sister. "This was a shock and unexpected."</p><p>Evan Chambers, a 2007 Lakeland graduate, was selected by the Pirates in the third round of the 2009 first-year player draft and spent the past five seasons in the Pirates' organization. He also played college baseball at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.</p><p>"It's tragic," former Lakeland head coach Mike Campbell said. "This is a tragedy and this is going to affect a lot of people. There are a lot of people who really cared about him. He was a good young man."</p><p>Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 2122 Martin Luther King Ave in Lakeland. The Chambers have asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Evan's honor to:</p><p>Elena Cassella</p><p>Director of Development and Fundraising</p><p>Foundation for Dreams and Dreams Oaks Camp</p><p>16110 Dream Oaks Place</p><p>Bradenton, FL 34212</p><p>941-746-5659</p><p>foundationfordreams.org</p><p>ecassella@foundation fordreams.org</p>